New Jersey Owes Big Money Over Failed ARC Tunnel Project

400562 06: An Amtrak logo is seen February 4, 2002 on the front of locomotive parked at the Union Station in Chicago, IL. Amtrak said on February 1, 2002 that it is threatening to discontinue all long distance train service in October of 2002 if Congress does not give it $1.2 billion in the next budget year. The national passenger railroad, facing a possible restructuring by Congress, said it will cut staff by four percent and make cuts in hiring, training, advertising and supplies. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

(Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – If you’re one of a few thousand people in the area who commutes by rail to New York every day, you probably were disappointed last month when New Jersey Governor Chris Christie killed the idea of a new tunnel under the Hudson River.

New Jersey Transit went to Amtrak with hopes of reviving the multi-billion dollar ARC tunnel between Newark and midtown Manhattan that Christie said the state couldn’t afford.

Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole says without Amtrak the project cannot move forward, “There were some exploratory talks between the two parties to look into common project opportunities. Those talks have concluded and Amtrak’s not interested in furthering the ARC tunnel project.”